Asia offers very diverse travel options. There are ultra modern, largely democratic countries like [[Japan]] and the East Asian Tigers of [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Taiwan]] and [[South Korea]] which are very prosperous and in which people enjoy very high standards of living. On the other hand, [[Afghanistan]], [[Laos]] and [[East Timor]] are extremely poor countries where people struggle even to get a few grains of rice each day. Of course, there are also many countries lying somewhere in the middle, such as the emerging powerhouses of [[China]] and [[India]] which make wonderful travel destinations in themselves due to their long history, size and diversity. [[Thailand]] is a magnet for travellers, with great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and great beaches. Asia also contains [[North Korea]], suffering under one of, if not the most, oppressive regimes in the world and, therefore, very unsafe for travellers.<br clear="all">

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Asia offers very diverse travel options. There are ultra modern, largely democratic countries like [[Japan]] and the East Asian Tigers of [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Taiwan]] and [[South Korea]] which are very prosperous and in which people enjoy very high standards of living. On the other hand, [[Afghanistan]], [[Laos]] and [[East Timor]] are extremely poor countries where people struggle even to get a few grains of rice each day. Of course, there are also many countries lying somewhere in the middle, such as the emerging powerhouses of [[China]] and [[India]] which make wonderful travel destinations in themselves due to their long history, size and diversity. [[Thailand]] is a magnet for travellers, with great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and great beaches. Asia also contains [[North Korea]], suffering under one of, if not the most, oppressive regimes in the world and, therefore, very safe for travellers.<br clear="all">

*Birthplaces of all ten of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Jainism and Bahai.

*Birthplaces of all ten of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Jainism and Bahai.

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[[Indonesia]] is a very diverse country, with armed groups fighting for independence in [[Papua]]. [[Maluku]] is relatively safe now, but has seen periodic eruptions of violence occur in 1999-2003. [[Indonesia]] also copes with Islamic extremist groups throughout the country. [[Bali]], the most popular tourist destination of the country, dealt with Islamic terrorist attacks in [[Kuta]] in 2002 and 2005. The island can be visited, but avoiding large gatherings and crowded nightclubs could be advised.

[[Indonesia]] is a very diverse country, with armed groups fighting for independence in [[Papua]]. [[Maluku]] is relatively safe now, but has seen periodic eruptions of violence occur in 1999-2003. [[Indonesia]] also copes with Islamic extremist groups throughout the country. [[Bali]], the most popular tourist destination of the country, dealt with Islamic terrorist attacks in [[Kuta]] in 2002 and 2005. The island can be visited, but avoiding large gatherings and crowded nightclubs could be advised.

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[[East Asia]] is probably the safest area in the continent, but political tensions also exist in this region. You might want to avoid the border between [[North Korea]] and [[South Korea]] as these two countries are technically still at war with each other. [[China]], a vast and diverse country, is surprisingly safe for its size, yet the restive provinces of [[Tibet]] (and its accompanying counties and prefectures in neighboring provinces) and [[Xinjiang]] are often restricted to foreign travelers at any hint of trouble.

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[[East Asia]] is probably the safest area in the continent, but political tensions also exist in this region. You might want to avoid the border between [[North Korea]] and [[South Korea]] as these two countries are technically still at war with each other. [[China]], a vast and diverse country, is surprisingly safe for its size, yet the restive provinces of [[Tibet]] (and its accompanying counties and prefectures in neighbouring provinces) and [[Xinjiang]] are often restricted to foreign travellers at any hint of trouble.

Revision as of 20:01, 25 February 2013

Contents

Asia is too massive and diverse to conceptualize as a single digestible travel "destination".

Even defining the borders of this continent is difficult - from the mountains around the Black Sea in the west, to the snow fields of Siberia in the east, there are more people and cities in Asia than outside of it.

Asia's and the world's highest point is Mount Everest, along the border of Tibet (China) and Nepal, which rises to 8,848 m (29,028 feet) above sea level. Its lowest point is the Dead Sea, located at the meeting points of Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan, whose surface is 400 m (1,312 feet) below sea level. Asia's longest river is the Yangtze, which runs 6,300 km (3,915 miles) through China, from all the way from the high Tibetan Plateau to Shanghai. Its largest lake is the 386,400 sq km (149,200 square mile) Caspian Sea, which is surrounded by several Central Asian nations.

Asia is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east, by Australia to the south east, and by the Indian Ocean to the south. It is bordered by the Red Sea to the south west, by Europe and Urals to the west, and by the Arctic Ocean to the north.

Travel options range widely, from the desert ruins and modern mega-malls of the Middle East to the magnificent ancient monuments in South Asia, and from the beach bungalows and jungle treks of South-East Asia to the mega-cities and technology capitals of East Asia. Find out more about regions, destinations, and itineraries below.

Asia offers very diverse travel options. There are ultra modern, largely democratic countries like Japan and the East Asian Tigers of Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea which are very prosperous and in which people enjoy very high standards of living. On the other hand, Afghanistan, Laos and East Timor are extremely poor countries where people struggle even to get a few grains of rice each day. Of course, there are also many countries lying somewhere in the middle, such as the emerging powerhouses of China and India which make wonderful travel destinations in themselves due to their long history, size and diversity. Thailand is a magnet for travellers, with great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and great beaches. Asia also contains North Korea, suffering under one of, if not the most, oppressive regimes in the world and, therefore, very safe for travellers.

Russia and the Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia)Russia's a huge country of vast, empty expanses comprising much of Asia, while the Caucasus is densely populated, warm and friendly, but with some dangerous parts

Get around

Due to the vast distances and expanses of water separating Asia's different regions, air travel is likely to be the preferred mode of transport between the regions many travel destinations. Fares are lower on average than in Europe or America, and low cost airlines in Asia are rapidly expanding their networks particularly in Southeast Asia.

Learn scuba diving in some of the cheapest diving schools in the world.

Climb Mount Everest, the highest point of land on earth between Nepal and [[China]).

Buy

Eat

Asia is renowned as having some of the best cuisines in the world.

Drink

Usually the largest city or capital has the best clubs.

Sleep

Stay safe

Safety in Asia can vary wildly, but it is a safe place in general. Nearly all tourist attractions on the continent are far from conflict, but there are a few regions in which conflict and/or general lawlessness exists.

The most obvious examples are Afghanistan and Iraq. Afghanistan is under foreign occupation, and both countries are in a state of war against insurgent groups such as the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and various other armed forces. These countries are considered no-go areas and should be completely avoided by travellers (if one absolutely must go, consult War zone safety and the authorities of your country before you go). Yemen could also be added to the list of no-go countries, due to a very high threat of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, tribal violence and general lawlessness. Since January 2011, Syria also should not be visited due to civil unrest, including some indiscriminate attacks on or in cities and checkpoints.

Other countries in Asia generally can be visited, though some countries have regions and areas that should be avoided. The Middle East is generally known for its political tensions, and while true for some part, most of the region can be visited without any major risks. The Gaza Strip is effectively a war zone between Palestinian factions and the Israeli army, where kidnappings of foreigners have occurred. Israel has coped with missile attacks as well as suicide bombings by Islamic militant groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Lebanon and the West Bank (Palestinian National Authority) generally cope with an unstable political situation and internal conflict. Some regions of the Caucasus are considered dangerous due to active insurgent groups, particularly the North Caucasus (Chechnya), Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Bahrain has experienced some political violence, too, so check on current conditions before you go.

Southeast Asia is a major travel region and most of it is perfectly safe to visit. A notable exception is East Timor, which continues to face sporadic internal ethnic and political tension and related violence may occur. But even in some popular countries, there are some areas that should be avoided. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the south of the Philippines is an area of conflict with several Muslim and communist rebel groups fighting with the Philippine army. It was declared the world's most hazardous area for journalists in 2009 by the Committee to Protect Journalists. 18 reporters died in a massacre in Maguindanao that claimed the lives of almost 60 people. The rest of the country, specifically Luzon and the Visayas, are safe, just like the rest of Mindanao (including Davao and Cagayan de Oro areas). Thailand, the most visited country in Southeast Asia, is perfectly safe, with the notable exception of four deep southern provinces, where fighting between the Thai military and Islamic insurgent groups still continues to this day.

Indonesia is a very diverse country, with armed groups fighting for independence in Papua. Maluku is relatively safe now, but has seen periodic eruptions of violence occur in 1999-2003. Indonesia also copes with Islamic extremist groups throughout the country. Bali, the most popular tourist destination of the country, dealt with Islamic terrorist attacks in Kuta in 2002 and 2005. The island can be visited, but avoiding large gatherings and crowded nightclubs could be advised.

East Asia is probably the safest area in the continent, but political tensions also exist in this region. You might want to avoid the border between North Korea and South Korea as these two countries are technically still at war with each other. China, a vast and diverse country, is surprisingly safe for its size, yet the restive provinces of Tibet (and its accompanying counties and prefectures in neighbouring provinces) and Xinjiang are often restricted to foreign travellers at any hint of trouble.

Crime

Refer to the specific country pages and the authorities of your country for more information.

Stay healthy

Many areas of Asia, especially Southeast Asia and South Asia, are humid tropical, and there are certain health risks attached to travel in those regions -- such as dengue fever and risk of malaria. Consult the country articles for specific information.